Local services
On the occasion of Debrecen City Day, the Debrecen City Council held a festive general meeting on April 11, 2025, at the Kölcsey Centre.
At the event, Mayor László Papp presented honorary citizen titles and Pro Urbe and Déri Frigyes awards. The 2024 Mecénás and Hajós Alfréd award winners who were unable to attend the ceremonial events last year also received their awards.
In his speech at the festive general meeting, Mayor László Papp said, “Today, we pay special respect to all those citizens of Debrecen who served Debrecen with faith, enthusiasm, commitment, and often fearlessly. The city was and is called the Calvinist Rome, the Hungarian Geneva, the phoenix rising from its ashes, the civic city or even the city of permanence. With their extraordinary expressive power, these names tell the story of our city and, with their meaning, have a strong identity-forming power. They are the sources of Debrecenism. The spiritual, material, and spiritual-emotional concept that connects all of us who identify as Debrecenians, regardless of where we live in the world. How strange that we have such a concept that connects all the people of Debrecen, which may not exist anywhere else in this country. I have never heard of Miskolcism, Győrism, Szolnokism or Nyíregyházism. However, Debrecenism (being from Debrecen) is a concept that we often use, which clearly shows that a citizen of Debrecen has an entirely different, special relationship with his city. It is a sustaining force and an example to continue to pass on our spiritual and material values to new generations, to take care of our urban community with commitment, to maintain internal peace and agreement, even if they try to break it from time to time, and to conscientiously care for our wider region, Hungary and our fellow citizens living in the Carpathian Basin. This mentality has been a defining characteristic of Debrecen for centuries. Culture, education, and cultural traditions have become our city’s identity pillars in recent centuries. With these, we have contributed to the Hungarian people’s development, strengthening, and crisis-resistant capacity.”
The mayor pointed out that Magda Szabó spoke about this nationwide characteristic of Debrecenism in her essay “Homeland Until Death: Debrecen: “The history of Debrecen, which was instilled in me from my childhood, from the first moments of my consciousness, permeated my cells. I only had to be a little older to understand that there were periods when my city meant not only itself but also the homeland itself, when Debrecen was Hungary.”
He added that this commitment to preserving identity and providing security, capable of identifying with all Hungarians, has been closely intertwined with renewal in our city for at least 500 years, since the Reformation, always providing adequate responses to different historical situations and adapting appropriately to challenges. “Today, as in the past twenty-five years, we, the people of Debrecen, strive to ensure that our loyalty to traditions, our commitment to education and culture, and our economic performance contribute to Debrecen becoming a decisive and strong supporter of Hungary’s development. In the first third of the 21st century, Debrecen must become the home of institutions of national importance and even of influence that extends far beyond our borders, such as the Hungarian National Histrory Museum or the Museum of Transport. No one and nothing can deter us from this endeavor because we do not want to take away. Still, it is better to give and make these institutions available to the population of the Carpathian Basin,” he pointed out.
The mayor pointed out that we will celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of writer Jókai Mór in 2025. However, he was not born, did not study, and did not live long in Debrecen; he pointed out with a highly sharp eye and sensitivity the tasks and mission that Debrecen should undertake in the interests of all Hungarians. Jókai, who, although an outsider, knew and loved Debrecen very well. When Debrecen held the position of capital of the country in the first half of 1849, during the War of Independence, Jókai also stayed in Debrecen for months. As editor of the newspaper Evening Papers (In Hungarian: Esti Lapok), he characterised the permanent and temporary capitals of Hungary in a sharply contrasting but, in essence, very accurate and partly still valid manner in an article published on March 31, 1849: “Pest is the centre of the country, but Debrecen is the centre of the Hungarian people. There, the interests of all nationalities are combined, but here, only the Hungarian interests are combined. Pest is the largest city of Hungary; Debrecen is a miniature Hungary… Budapest is a fortress, but Debrecen is an asylum (i.e. refuge). The people of Pest are a cultured, freedom-loving, enthusiastic people who gave rise to the revolution.
“It is a special honour for us to be from Debrecen, as evidenced by the honorary citizenship titles and Pro Urbe awards, as well as the Frigyes Déri, Mecénás, and Alfréd Hajós awards,” the mayor said, adding that the creative work of our awardees in many fields contributes to being a successful, strong, and cohesive community in the present and future, building on Debrecen’s traditions. The awardees’ life paths, creative activity, diligence, achievement, and selflessness are examples to follow for all of us.
“Let me express my joy and gratitude for your exemplary enthusiasm, inspiring ideas, perseverance, and faith in your future for Debrecen and thus for the entire Hungarian nation. I am grateful that the city’s community and I have gotten to know citizens who not only look with pride at Debrecen’s centuries-old traditions, intellectual culture, and financial strength but also enrich them,” the mayor said.
He stressed that thanks to its citizens, Debrecen has not only a rich past but also a future-oriented culture and community life, a world of music and architecture, a health and sports life, and an economy, industry, and trade. These give strength and faith that there is meaning in persistent, diligent work, and there are citizens of Debrecen who serve as examples, who should not be envied but followed.
“This city and nation-building activity, the coming together of talented citizens with different knowledge and experiences, has been characteristic for centuries. It has significantly contributed, in the past centuries, as it does today, to Debrecen standing out in many respects among the settlements of Hungary and previously among the cities with free royal privileges. That is why we can still be proud that April 11th is our holiday, the day of the people of Debrecen. That is why we owe you our gratitude for your past and present service and sacrifice! I congratulate the awardees from the bottom of my heart, and it will be a great pleasure to shake their hands because Debrecen has become richer in recent decades because of you. I wish you all much strength, success, and rich blessings in further work!” László Papp concluded his speech.
This was followed by the presentation of the city’s recognitions.
Honorary Citizens
The General Assembly of the Municipality of Debrecen awarded the honorary title of Honorary Citizen of Debrecen to historian Dr. János Mazsu. The President and CEO of Szinorg Universal PLC, Gyula Szűcs, in recognition of their life’s work that has made lasting contributions to the material, intellectual and moral growth and development of the city and its citizens, and has strengthened the city’s prestige.
Dr. János Mazsu is a historian and candidate of historical sciences. From 1977 to 2017, he taught at Kossuth Lajos University of Science and then at the integrated University of Debrecen. His main areas of study are industrial modernisation and the economic and social history of the “long 19th century” in Hungary. In addition to the University of Debrecen, he has taught several times at Indiana University in the United States and has lectured at numerous international conferences. His research areas are, on the one hand, the social history of the Hungarian school system and Hungarian intellectuals, and he has published his results in monographs and studies in English and Hungarian.
Gyula Szűcs completed his university studies at the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the Budapest University of Technology, majoring in structural engineering, where he obtained a degree in civil engineering. During his university years, he signed a scholarship contract with the Hajdú-Bihar County Council Construction Company, the legal predecessor of the later HUNÉP PLC. In 1980, he began his career there as a technical trainee. He soon became a foreman and later a deputy department manager. During the change of regime in 1991, the Hajdú-Bihar County Council Construction Company was transformed into a joint-stock company led by Gyula Szűcs as the chairman and CEO until 2018. As a result of their successful work, many emblematic buildings were created in the country and Debrecen.
Gyula Szűcs is currently the CEO of Szinorg Universal PLC., which was established in 2013 by the spin-off from HUNÉP Universal PLC, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of HUNÉP PLC. His hard work and professionalism are exemplary, reflecting his strong commitment to Debrecen. Gyula Szűcs has held senior positions in the Hajdú-Bihar County Chamber of Commerce and Industry for four terms. In recognition of his work, he received the chamber’s highest award, the Sesztina Award, in 2004. 2014, the National Association of Construction Contractors awarded him the Lechner Ödön Award.
Pro Urbe Award Winners
The General Assembly of the Debrecen City Council, in recognition of the public appreciation of the activities that have been carried out over decades to enhance the development and good reputation of the city, benefit the local community, and have been serving the local community, presented the Debrecen City Pro Urbe Award to Municipal Advisor responsible for church and cross-border relations, President of the Debrecen Charity Board, Edit Bódor; to the Debrecen Garrison Orchestra; and retired university lecturer, Dr. József Péter Gellén.
Edit Bódor has been a loyal and selfless organiser of Debrecen’s community life for decades. During her work, cooperation between church denominations and the city has strengthened. She has built bridges between the communities of the Hungarians of the Carpathian Basin with countless cross-border programmes. Diligence, commitment, organisational skills, leadership skills, and an open, cheerful personality characterise her exemplary activities. From January 2013 to September 2021, she led Főnix Event Organising Ltd. Since September 2024, she has been the president of the Debrecen Charity Board. In 2018, she was awarded the third degree of the Order of Honor for Defence of the Republic of Hungary in recognition of her practical work in the defence of Hungary and her sacrifice in support of the Hungarian Defence Forces. She received the Prima Award from the Hajdú-Bihar County branch of the National Association of Entrepreneurs and Employers. In 2024, the President of the Republic of Hungary awarded her the Hungarian Golden Cross of Merit on March 15th in recognition of her activities serving the cultivation and popularisation of Hungarian culture and her dedicated work for the city of Debrecen.
The Debrecen Garrison Band is one of the oldest bands in Hungarian military music, celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2024. Its history is characterised by a unique blend of preserving traditions and continuous renewal, which has come together with the National Military Band Festival and, later, the International Military Band Festival. The Municipality of Debrecen recognised the band’s work with the Csokonai Award, and the Pro Patria Foundation with the Nívó Award and the Sub-Unit Flag. The formation has collaborated with renowned artists such as Dénes Pál, the artist couple Rita Franciska Rácz and Zsolt Haja, and Bálint Gájer, with whom they gave a memorable concert on Kossuth Square. They also regularly perform with the Kodály Choir and the Hungarian National Male Choir. The diversity of the Debrecen Garrison Band is demonstrated by the fact that there are also territorial defense reservists among its members in addition to contract and professional soldiers. Conductor István Pál accepted the award on behalf of the orchestra.
Dr. József Péter Gellén worked to develop Debrecen as a local government representative for almost a decade and a half. He was appointed property, management and business development advisor (coordinator) at the local government established in 1990. In the field of building Debrecen’s foreign relations, he filled the twin city relations, which until then had mostly been protocol visits, with expanded content. He was the leading promoter of developing the city management system that is still the city’s own today. He is credited with the establishment of the Debrecen Regional Economic Development Foundation and the establishment of the Small Business Development Centre Foundation. Under his leadership, the Debrecen Summer University has gained wide international recognition and acclaim. He did a lot for establishing the Debrecen International School and introducing the international baccalaureate in public education in Debrecen. He was a lecturer at the English Department of Kossuth Lajos University for decades, teaching many students in Debrecen.
Déri Frigyes Award Winner
The General Assembly of the Municipality of Debrecen awarded the Déri Frigyes Award of the City of Debrecen to Zsolt Fülöp, the founding owner of Trans-Sped Ltd., in recognition of his outstanding achievements in domestic and international economic life, serving the benefit of the local community, and contributing to the development, growth and global recognition of the city.
Zsolt Fülöp was born in Hatvan and raised in Polgár but has considered himself a Debrecen resident for more than four decades. He began his career at MÁV, then continued at Volán, where he initially worked as a dispatcher and later built a significant job in the freight transport business. He then established Trans-Sped Ltd. in 1990. The company initially dealt with transport, then its scope of activity expanded to include domestic and international transport and warehousing. Over the years, Trans-Sped has grown into a group of companies that are today one of Hungary’s leading logistics service providers. Zsolt Fülöp is also known for his sense of responsibility towards society. In 1998, he played a significant role in the construction of Borzán Gáspár Street, to which he contributed financially in addition to his work as an organiser. He regularly supports local communities, helping those in need and various charitable and non-profit organisations with donations. He is also a founding member of the Debrecen Automotive Cluster Association, which aims to develop the region’s automotive industry and increase its competitiveness. The Debrecen General Assembly awarded him the Patron Award in 2009. In 2024, the Hungarian Transporters Association recognised his professional career with the Lifetime Achievement Award, while in 2025, the Hungarian Logistics Service Centres Association awarded him the Logistics Exemplary Award.
In 2024, two awardees were unable to attend the festive general meetings on April 11 and October 23 and, therefore, could not receive their recognition. This has now taken place.
Patron Award
The General Assembly of Debrecen City awarded the Debrecen City Patron Award in 2024 to Dr. Dávid Bárd, the pharmacy manager and owner of the Arany Oroszlán Pharmacy, in recognition of his significant financial support for the city’s growth and development.
Dr. Dávid Bárd is the scion of a family of pharmacists that has been involved in the provision of medicines and preserving the health of the population of Debrecen for decades. His father is also a respected, recognised pharmacist. Dr. Dávid Bárd graduated from the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Debrecen in 2010, where he now teaches students. He learned the intricacies of the profession and the “science” of pharmacy management from his father. Ten years ago, he became the manager and owner of the Arany Oroszlán Pharmacy in Debrecen, becoming independent. After that, and ever since, he has been involved in the business development and expansion of the pharmacies owned by the Bárd family and is the owner and board member of the national pharmacy network, Kulcs Patikák. An essential element of his family’s values is creating a good workplace atmosphere and helping the disadvantaged with donations. His two young children and his wife are a necessary, supportive background for him in all his activities. As a local patriot of Debrecen, Dr. Dávid Bárd has donated more than HUF 10 million worth of vitamin products, medicinal products, and health-related tools to disadvantaged people in the local area in the past three years alone. He considers building and spreading a culture of donation a critical task.
Alfréd Hajós Award Winner
In recognition of their outstanding activities in preserving and improving Debrecen citizens’ physical and mental health, the General Assembly of the City of Debrecen in 2024 awarded, among others, the founding member of the “Move, Libakert!” Association, the “Move, Debrecen!” initiative, Imréné Fülöp Császár, and the ambassador of the “Move, Debrecen!” initiative, Erzsébet Kiss, the shared Alfréd Hajós Award.
Imréné Fülöp Császár is one of the founders of the “Move, Debrecen!” initiative. Since the programme was launched, she has been an active participant and organiser of various forms of movement and community events. She is an outstanding individual in the active civic community. Imréné Fülöp Császár’s community-building role is decisive in the city of Debrecen. Throughout his life, she has always prioritised helping others, and thanks to her commitment, the number of the community she organises is constantly growing. In December 2021, she launched the “Move, Debrecen!” initiative’s heart-friendly thematic walk.
Her perseverance motivates the participants, and thanks to her, weekly walks are becoming increasingly popular among young people. She also organises several exercise programmes, encouraging his peers and younger generations.
Mayor László Papp, in his speech after the award ceremony, stressed that he considers each of today’s recipients to be a personal role model because of their achievements, accomplishments and life paths in their respective fields.
As part of the festive general meeting, the participants saw a special gift programme by the Vojtina Puppet Theater entitled “Since Infinity”. The performance presented a person who comes to life through the power of art, who seeks transformations and transmutable and liveable beauty along his journey. The performers of the performance were: Tamara Vadászi, Tímea Telenkó-Oláh, Mónika Nagy, Krisztina Hell, Krisztina Magi, Evelin Csarkó, Péter Máté Mercs and Dávid Baditz. The music was composed by Ferenc Czapp. Ferenc Czapp and Marcell Horváth performed on the piano. László Parádi performed the cello. The lighting designer was Barnabás Nánási.
Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu
